Arsenal move for €12 million Eredivisie star given go ahead

The versatile Belgian defender has been consistently linked with a move to the Premier League over the past few months and, according to talkSPORT, he may leave Ajax in the summer.

A source close to the 23-year-old allegedly said: "Jan wants to play in England one day - perhaps soon. He is a good friend of Thomas Vermaelen at Arsenal.

"I think he might stay in January as he's desperate to win the title at Ajax before maybe seeking a new challenge. The Premier League is an attractive option for anyone, for sure."

Vertonghen plays alongside Arsenal ace Vermaelen at the heart of the Belgium defence and has seen himself compared to his international teammate.

Vermaelen was also at Ajax when he caught Arsenal's eye - moving to the Emirates for £8 million in 2009 - and Vertonghen looks like he may follow suit.

The two centre-backs have a good relationship both on and off the field, and it is understood that Vermaelen is attempting to persuade his compatriot to join Arsenal.

Earlier this summer Vertonghen commented that his former Ajax club mate had been telling him excellent things about Arsenal.

He said: "He [Vermaelen] is one of my best friends and I'm very happy he has been such a success at Arsenal. He tells me really good things about Arsenal and living in London.”

Vermaelen is currently a long-term injury headache for Arsene Wenger, and the Arsenal boss is thought to be keen to bolster his defence - with Vertonghen apparently fitting the bill.

Wenger did bring French pair Laurent Koscielny and Sébastien Squillaci to Arsenal in the summer to try to compensate for Vermaelen's injury, but his squad still lacks depth in the defensive department.

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